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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(2)

Patterns of abundance and size of Dictyoceratid sponges among neighbouring islands in central Torres Strait, Australia

Alan R. Duckworth A B C and Carsten W. Wolff A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3 Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.

B AIMS@JCU, Post Office James Cook University, QLD 4811, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: a.duckworth@aims.gov.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(2) 204-212 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF06104
Submitted: 20 June 2006  Accepted: 7 December 2006   Published: 16 February 2007

Abstract

Distribution and size frequency patterns of sessile organisms such as sponges may vary among and within neighbouring reefs. In the present study, we examined small-scale variation of dictyoceratid sponges (class Demospongiae), commonly found on coral reefs, by surveying six neighbouring islands in central Torres Strait. Each island had four study sites, at least 1 km apart, with each site consisting of three shallow (4 to 6 m) and three deep (10 to 15 m) 20 m2 transects. For each transect, we recorded the number of each species and measured the size of the more common dictyoceratid sponges. Seven species of dictyoceratid were recorded in central Torres Strait, with only three species, Coscinoderma sp., Dysidea herbacea and Hyrtios erecta, common to all six islands. Abundance patterns generally varied greatly among islands or sites within islands, perhaps resulting from a combination of physical, biological and stochastic factors. More dictyoceratids were found in deeper water; however, abundance across depth for some species varied among islands or sites. Size-frequency distribution patterns also varied greatly among islands and dictyoceratid species, indicating that factors that may promote growth for one species may not necessarily promote growth for a related species. This study shows that patterns of abundance and size of dictyoceratids can vary greatly over small spatial scales, and that patterns are species-specific.

Additional keywords: depth, spatial variation.


Acknowledgements

We thank Sarah Lowe, John Morris, Samson Lowatta and Simon Naawi for the diving and field work. This project was part of the sponge aquaculture program of AIMS@JCU, and Task 1.6 in the Fisheries program of the Coorperative Research Centre Torres Strait. This project received funding and in-kind support from the CRC Torres Strait, the Torres Strait Regional Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Yorke Island Community Council. A fishery permit to collect sponges in Torres Strait was obtained from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. This study benefited greatly from the comments of three anonymous referees.


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